On the heels of the Nov. 6 elections, the Piedmont Area Republican Women Federation wasted little time in electing its 2013 officers at a Nov. 15 luncheon meeting at the Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland.

"Despite the election results and the pundit deliberations, we're remaining positive and planning for a busy future," said Kris Urdahl, the group's president. "We'll be lining up interesting guest speakers for next year's meetings and continuing with our community giving activities."

The guest speaker at the luncheon was Thomas Moyer, a professional conservative blogger and author of "Conservative Survival Guide to San Francisco: A Tale of Two Cities."

Moyer, the 30-year-old vice president of the San Francisco Young Republicans, talked about the challenges that conservatives face working and living in San Francisco, especially if they are raising families. Moyer and his wife are expecting their first child.

He discussed the recent election results and strategies for the Republican Party to reach out to the younger generation, the Hispanic community and other minority groups.

As part of the group's ongoing community giving campaign, members brought "care packages" of food and personal care items for U.S. military troops serving overseas.

Advertisement

Coleen Young, president of the Alameda County Blue Star Moms, thanked the members for their donations. Kris Urdahl, Coleen Young and Peggy Esposito are PARW members as well as Blue Star Moms with sons currently serving in the military.

The group, chartered in 1953, is one of the Bay Area's longest operating women's organizations, with nearly 50 percent of its members now residing in Oakland. The group meets several times a year to hear interesting speakers and informed regarding current events and local, state and national legislation.